Public high school versus home schooling?

[Ferny_Reyes]

<p>I've been thinking lately about the Public HS vs Homeschooling issue, and I still believe it comes down geography.</p>

<p>In some parts of the nation, homeschooling allows for students to become much more involved with the life around them then typical high school allows.</p>

<p>However, in some, the public high school is the only vehicle of academic and extra-curricular participation. I particularly note this, in for example, my area of the nation, where there are no non-sport theater, community, athletic extracurriculars for about an a hundred mile to a hundred fifty mile radius.</p>

<p>My own personal story with public HS is that, while being academically stifling at times, I supplemented it with my own readings into subjects that I felt were academically of value to me.</p>

<p>However, participating in extra-curricular activities was the real reason why public school was the way to go. Being in a large band, competing at a state competition, being in theater...rushing the basketball court after our historic playoff win...</p>

<p>Though, I will retireate my first point, geography plays a crucial part. Texas has the most organized public school extra-curricular activity competition orginzation in the world...</p>

<p>So it helps :)</p>

[DianeR]

<p>Of course, you know your area better than I. But are you sure you really know what vehicles for extracurriculars exist outside the public schools? Have you ever looked? Would you have any way of knowing what homeschoolers have set up for themselves or found?</p>

<p>Take band or orchestra. My daughter was in the DC Youth Orchestra, something organized under the DC Public Schools. Looked at from the outside, it would seem there is this great program in which only public school kids can participate. However, it is open to everyone; you don't even have to live in DC. I've heard of homeschoolers setting up their own instrumental music groups, participating in groups arranged by music schools, and being allowed to participate in groups at public and private schools.</p>

<p>Theater? Do you know if homeschoolers in your area have arranged something for themselves? That has happened around here -- I only know because I was on a homeschooler listserve; an outsider would have no way of knowing. Again, sometimes homeschoolers can participate at regular schools. And is there really NO community theater around you?</p>

<p>Athletics? In some places, homeschoolers can participate on public school teams. In others, they can affiliate themselves with private schools. There are also sports usually not associated with high schools. My daughter did fencing.</p>

<p>Academic competitions? Homeschoolers form their own groups and compete. Similarly, they can and do create book clubs, film clubs, or whatever people want to do. If you aren't plugged into your local homeschool network, you cannot know what is available.</p>

<p>Finally, there are ALWAYS opportunities for community extracurriculars. All you need is a community. </p>

<p>The only survey I've seen said that 98% of homeschoolers had at least two outside activities a week, and the median was substantially higher than that. I wonder what the average participation is for public school students.</p>

<p>It is good that public school has met all your needs. But you are not the expert about what is important to other people -- how they want their education to proceed, what extracurriculars look interesting, and how they will view the pros and cons of different types of schooling. If people are happy homeschooling and doing well by all measures, why do you persist in wanting to second-guess their choices? Why do you think you know better than they what is best for them?</p>

<p>I might look at public school and find all sorts of flaws in what is taught and how. But it is not for me to tell people that they have to view things the way I do or make the choices I did. Different people have different beliefs, needs, interests, learning styles, and personalities. I leave it to other people to figure out what is best for themselves.</p>

[nan]

<p>Ferny Reyes, there is a long history of successful rural homeschooling. If you were interested in knowing about it, you could start with reading something like The Education of Littletree. </p>

<p>However, it does not appear that you are really interested in finding out more about this subject. Your theory about homeschooling and geography was thoroughly discussed [url=<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=56159%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=56159]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;]. You aren't adding anything to the discussion by repeating your theory in this thread without acknowledging the experience actual homeschoolers have presented to the contrary. </p>

<p>You have decided homeschooling can't work in isolated areas, despite evidence to the contrary. That is your choice, but what are you doing here? Are you trying to stir up trouble? It seems that way. Perhaps you don't mean it that way, but when you keep repeating the same things without listening to or responding to other people, that's the way it looks.</p>

<p>The decision to homeschool is complex, personal, and often difficult. Your attempt to cast it in black and white, rural and urban terms trivializes that process and muddies the water for people who are dealing with it in real life.</p>

[system]

<p>Ferny,</p>

<p>You do have a point. Many homeschoolers have found ways around this by starting their own groups or finding outside groups, even though it may mean a long drive. We are fortunate to live in a state where homeschoolers are allowed to participate in EC's at the local schools. Our local district has a terrific band program, and I know my son grew a lot through it, more than he could have through the small homeschool band also available a bit of a drive away. As he got better, he joined the youth orchestra in the big city 20 miles away and grew even more. He did tennis at the high school, baseball through the community. Basically, we sought out what seemed like the best resources, whether school-based or community-based, and I am thankful for that opportunity.</p>

<p>Homeschooling, and education in general, is a very individual thing. Each person will find his or her own solution. For you, sticking to the public schools and supplementing your education seems to work, and I am happy for you that it does. For us a combination of PS and homeschool worked best. Others will find other solutions and methods. There really is no "one size fits all" way to go.</p>

[kk06]

<p>Your daughter's situation is the norm around here. Our teachers are either really new, don't care, or try way too hard. There are probably 5 teachers in our entire hs that are amazing, but apart from them, it all sucks. It's nice that you care so much about your daughter, but to me, having been brought up like that, it seems like her situation is normal...not a reason for homeschooling. Just supplement her current "education" with a job, volunteer work, and classes at a local community college.</p>